Extension offers three agriculture conferences to support Nevada agriculture

Conferences gather agriculture producers, beekeepers and others to share knowledge and expertise
 

LAS VEGAS – To help provide education and support for Nevada’s agriculture producers, associated businesses and others, University of Nevada, Reno Extension is partnering with other organizations to host three agriculture conferences throughout the state: the Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference in Las Vegas, Jan. 28-30; the Nevada Small Farms Conference in Sparks, Feb. 20-22; and the Bee & Garden Conference in Minden, March 20-22.

“Extension is very excited to be able to offer educational opportunities to urban and small farm producers, as well as beekeepers and others, to provide them with the latest research and information on resources to help them be successful,” Staci Emm, Extension educator, said. “We realize that our local food systems are extremely important to our communities and want to facilitate long-term sustainability.” 

This year, Emm said that with generous support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency and other partners, Extension is able to offer registration for all three conferences for $150, and registration for the individual conferences for $75. In addition to agriculture producers, the conferences also offer learning and networking opportunities for others, such as chefs and restaurant owners, recreational gardeners, youth gardeners, and others, depending on the conference.

Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference – Las Vegas

The Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference is Jan. 28-30 in Las Vegas at the South  Point Hotel, Casino & Spa; 9777 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; and places an emphasis on supporting both local producers and associated businesses. Current and new farm owners, food bank representatives, local chefs, local restaurant and grocery store owners, Extension Master Gardener volunteers, farmers market managers, FFA members, and other urban agriculture stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

On Tuesday, there are preconference workshops with choices that focus on marketing, meat and poultry production, and regenerative agriculture. On Wednesday and Thursday, there are a variety of educational and hands-on sessions, as well as networking sessions. Access a complete conference schedule online, as well register online for $75, which includes all workshops and presentations, a networking and informational mixer on Wednesday evening, and breakfast pastries and lunches on Wednesday and Thursday.

The conference is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency and other partners, including the Southwest Regional Food Business Center – Nevada funded by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. For more information, contact Adrienne Snow at adriennes@unr.edu or 775-247-6458.

Nevada Small Farms Conference – Sparks

The Nevada Small Farms Conference is Feb. 20-22 in Sparks at the Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave. According to Emm, smaller operations sometimes have a more difficult time marketing their products and networking, since their base is rural, but this conference provides an opportunity for those with smaller operations to share information about available resources and meet with other industry professionals, as well as to hear presentations on a variety of topics to help them maintain profitable and sustainable operations. Current and new farm owners, local food advocates, chefs, farmers market managers, FFA members and other agricultural stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

The format of this conference is similar to the format of the Nevada Urban Agriculture Conference, with the first day (Thursday) offering a variety of preconference workshops, and the next two days being a series of workshops, presentations and networking events. Register online for the conference for $75, which includes all workshops and presentations, networking events, and breakfast pastries and lunches on Friday and Saturday.

The conference is made possible by funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency and other partners. For more information, contact Kaley Chapin at kaleys@unr.edu or 702-467-2668.

Bee & Garden Conference – Minden

The Bee & Garden Conference is March 20-22 in Minden at the Carson Valley Inn, 1627 U.S. Highway 395 North. The conference will focus on native bees and other pollinators and the benefits of protecting pollinators for the beekeeper, homeowner and small-acreage producer.

Presentations will provide information on beekeeping, planting for pollinators, mitigating risk and insurance risk management products, designing landscapes for homeowners and small acreages, and specialty crop production. There will be trainings, presentations and workshops on value-added opportunities in apiculture, horticulture and home gardening, as well as on how to get products to market. Hands-on opportunities and round table discussions with colleagues and peers will also be available.

Register online for the conference for $75, which is all inclusive. A complete schedule of conference presentations and events will be available next month. For more information, contact Daunelle Wulstein at daunellew@unr.edu or 775-782-9960. This conference is made possible by funding from the USDA’s Risk Management Agency and other partners, including local sponsors and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, and the Nevada Farm Bureau.See Extension’s Risk Management Education Program website for more information on the agriculture conferences and other resources available for agricultural producers. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.edu or 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.